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BI-ANNUAL RESEARCH JOURNAL “ REVIEW” ISSN 1810-2174 Balochistan Study Centre, UoB, (Pak) VOL. XXVIII NO.1, 2013

NEW DISCOVERED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN NUSHKI DISTRICT OF BALOCHISTAN (A FIELD REPORT)

History

Farooq Baloch*& Waheed Razzaq†

Abstract: Balochistan is known as a mother land of ancient cultures because, of its countless Archaeological sites. Balochistan is divided among three countries, , and , and the part Pakistan consists approximately 3, 47,190, square kilometer, and it is 44% out of the total area of Pakistan. It is further divided into 6 Divisions and 30 Districts. Every district has a huge importance by its Archaeological sites which consist on Mounds, Graveyards, Tombs, Inscriptions, Karezes and Ancient Dames etc. Some very important sites are excavated by the Archaeologists, like in Bolan District, Peerak in Sibi District, Mound of Killi Gul Mohammad in , Pariano Ghundai in , Anjeera in , Bala Kot in Bela District and Meeri Kalat in , etc., large number of archaeological sites have been discovered but still they are not excavated. On the other side different archaeolocial sites of Balochistan are still unexplored. Many sites are still hidden and not discovered by any Archaeologist, the sites of Nushki District have always been ignored by local peopal and Archaeologists. In the espect of Archaeology Nushki has also many attractive and important archaeological sites. The following research article is about the new discovered Archaeological sites in the Nushki District by a team of Balochistan study centre. The objectives behind this study are to overview the new Archaeological sites in the Nushki District and explain their historical, cultural, anthropological and social importance. This study is descriptive in nature, both primary and secondary sources were consulted and for this purpose field work was also done by the team of Balochistan Study Center.

* Assistant Professor (History), Balochistan Study Centre, University of Balochistan, Quetta-Pak. † Research Officer, Balochistan Study Centre, University of Balochistan, Quetta-Pak

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Key words: Ancient Ruins, Antique Mafia, Balochistan, Bahtto, Dak, Gabrbast, Graveyard, Neel, Nokjo, Nushki, Mall, Zoroastrian.

INTRODUCTION The archaeological sites easily observe in Balochistan in the form of mounds, graves, dames, karez (under ground water channel), and tombs etc. Every district of the province is rich in several kinds of archaeological sites in which Nushki is also counted one of the ancient archaeolocial areas. This area has been always ignored by experts, writers and researchers. Due to that reason history of Nushki has remained disclosed. Many sources decleared Nushki has a part of ancient Siestan. (Government Record: 1997) The word Nushki is not older then five or six centurie, this word is drived from some oral statements. The area was the part of up to 2004-05 and than it alienated as a district from Chagai. The district is divided into 10 Union Councils.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Most of the historians decleared Nushki as part of Sistan but were not able to mention its contemparay name. Commonly the area known as the “Valley of Khaesar” because of the Khaesar Stream which flow from the northern mountains and entered in Nushki. The fort is standing on top of a rock near the bed of stream. It was the major source of water for the area but now it is dry and flow only in the heavy rains. The area is very famous for its dry and dangerous desert which is situated in the north and south of the area and this deseart is a part of famous desert of Lut (Iran). How it can be possible that such an important area remained without a particular name in history. May be it discussed in the books with different names but not be founded yet. A historian gives a statement about the fort of Khaesar Stream. As early mentioned that the early history of Nushki has remained hidden, but the present archaeological sites explored different historical eras in this area. These sites mostly predominated by the Hindu rulers and fire worshippers. This area was the part of Chagai for long time, so the some reliable sources give the following statement about the entire area. Says that, “Little is known of the ancient history of Chagai. There is a complete absence of all records, and the local traditions and vague and unreliable. The earliest monuments are the ruins of terraced embankment or “Gaurbastas” which are found at the foot of the Raskoh hills and which, like similar remains in the lower parts of Balochistan, are ascribed to the Gabrs or fire-worshipper. The next traces of ancient history are the square shaped

- 61 - tombs, met with in the western portion of the District (Chagai), which are attributed by local tradition to the Kaianis of the Achamaenenian dynasty of Persia. The remains of cupolas, ruined forts and karezes which are found in different parts of the District, are usually assigned to the Arabs, and may, perhaps, be correctly said to date from the “Arab period” during the neighboring province of Siestan attained the climax of its prosperity. They are also, sometimes, attributed to the Mughals, and in any case indicate the presence of a higher civilization than is now found among the Baloch Brahvi inhabitants (tribes) of the country. The waves of conquest and re-conquest which passed over its neighbors do not seem to have left much permanent mark on the country, and it is possible that Chagai, secure in the shelter of its deserts and possessing little to tempt the adventurous, did not play a very important part in those troublous times.” (Ibid: 1997) The area faced many invasions from the outsiders up to the Baloch reign. According to the ancient sources this area was first invaded by the Mongol tatars. This invasion is verbally memorized by the inhabitants of the area. The local traditional historians mostly trace the history of the area from the invasion of . Some tribes of the area claimed that they entered in the area during or after Mongol invasion. But these statements have no historical support. According to an author that, “There are traditions of invasions from the north and north-west, but these are very vague, and the invaders are always said to have been the Mongols (known to the people of the country as the Mughals). About 1223 A.D. a Mongol expedition under Chagatai, the son of Chingiz Khan, is said to have penetrated as far as ; and in 1383 Miran Shah, the son of , led another expedition into Keren (Kharan). It is not known if these invasions actually passed through Chagai, but their influence must have made itself felt throughout the country.” (Ibid: 1997) According to some non authentic verbal sources, the Baloch tribes settled in the area after the end of Mongol rule. According to local traditions that the Baloch tribes assert that their ancestors found the country depopulated and a desert waste. The district, at this time, probably formed a part of Kandhar and shared in the fluctuations of its possession, but the normal condition of the Baloch seems to have been one of semi-independence. They appear to have been firmly established at the beginning of the sixteenth century. But this statement base on verbal and local traditions and has no historical support. According to some very reliable sources that during the reign of Mughals of the Nushki was under the Baloch tribes, and in ’s period, Malik Khati Khan was the chief of this area, who saved the Mughal Royal Family of India at Chagai. According to Humayun Nama,

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“One night, after a long march, the barking of a dog was heard. The Emperor (Humayun) had hardly time to observe that some habitations must be at hand, when a party of the Baloch met and stopped them. They spoken in their own language, which was not understood, but fortunately one of the ladies, who was with the Emperor’s suite was herself a Baloch, the wife of an officer in his service. She was employed to interpret, and it appeared that they were followers of Malik Khati, a Baloch chief, whom Abulfazl styles the Captain General of the banditti of the desert. Their leader being at the moment absent, his people, on finding that it was the Emperor, insisted that the little troop should not pass onward without their master’s leave. The Emperor was obliged to comply and entering the fort, the free-booters salaamed to him respectfully, spread a carpet on which he and Hamida Begum (mother of the great Akbar) sat down and supplied the wants of the party with all the hospitality of the desert. When day began to dawn, as the Emperor was engaged in his morning prayers Malik Khati, who had been sent for, returned.” (Ibid: 1997) The author of above book gives more details of this important and historical event in the following word, “The Emperor’s peaceable entrance into the fort, which gave him the character of a guest, had roused the robber’s sense of honor. Saluting the Emperor, and making the usual polite inquiries after his health, the chief informed him, that three days before an order from Kamran Mirza suffer the Emperor Humayun to pass that way, but to seize and make him a prisoner. “But” added he, “now that your Majesty has visited me, on my head and eyes be it. Yet it is better that you should ride on and I will myself conduct you to the borders.” (Ibid: 1997) This very important statement proofs that the Baloch tribes had a very strong power established in the area of Chagai and Nushki, and had their own Chief and rulers. This statement also confirms that, during 16th century this area was generally under the domination of Mongols (Mughals), but particularly it was independent and had their own traditional laws, and also it confirms that this area was populated and the different Baloch tribes were settled here. May be, the Malik Khati was the Head Chief of the area, and the Baloch tribes were unite under his command. This area has been linkes with Afghanistan and Iran, from 16th century to the half of 17th century the area was back to back came under the domaintation of Afghanistan as well as Iran. But, these countries were not interested in this desert, so, mainly the area has remained independent and was controlled by the Baloch tribes. During the reign of Ahmed Zai family Nushki came under the domination of Kalat. The great Naseer Khan Noori crossed the area when he was passing through Nushki in about 1759, on his way from to

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Kalat after having accompanied with Ahmed Shah Abdali on his expedition to Persia. (Baloch: 2012) Khan Naseer Khan was so pleased with the generous treatment accorded to his army by the inhabitants that he bestowed to them the name of Dilkusha or “the open hearted”. (Ibid: 2012) after the emergence of the , Nushki became a constant part of Kalat. Before the expedition of Indus army of the East India Company, many British spies crossed this area during their journeys. The first spy was the Henry Pottinger who entered in Nushki in the getup of a Sayyed trader, and stayed here for some days. (Henry Pottinger: 1983) Amir Abdul Rehman Khan was also passed through the area after his defeat by Amir Sher Ali Khan in the Hazara hills in 1869. (: 2006) Charles Macgregor and Lockwood visited the western Sanjrani country, making their way from the Mashkel Hamun to the Gaud-i-Zirrah. (Macgregor: 2003) the area faced many up and downs up to the end of the Khanate of Kalat. Nushki has always been ignored and is not discussed in details in the history books. So, the ancient history of Nushki is still hidden. Many influational authors and writers started its history from the time period of Mongols. The verbal and traditional history also starts it from the same period. But, the large number of mounds and other archaeological sites explains a new history. These sites were discovered by a team of Balochistan Study Centre, with the collaboration of Raskoh Adbi Deewan and a local media channel Nushki Time. These very amazing pre-historic sites, which consist on different kind of archaeological sites, are not yet discussed in any book. The details of discovered sites are given below;

NEWLY FOUNDED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN NUSHKI DISTRICT

1- DAMB-E- BADAL KAREZ OR MOUND OF BADAL KAREZ This huge mound is situated in the west of Nushki city from the distance of two kilometers. This big mound has covered a huge area. The western side of the mound is destroyed by the natives of the area. The local inhabitants do not know the importance of archaeological sites, so, they just use their mud for cultivation purpose or dug them for treasure. The surface of the mound of Badal Karez is full of pieces of the different kind of potteries. The red color bricks can easily observed everywhere in this mound. The height of the mound is more than 25 feet from the ground. This is a very attractive site for research and excavation. And hope that, this new discovered site will be the helpful for revising the history of the area.

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2. MOUND OF JAMALDINI The mound of Jamaldini is situated in Nushki city from the distance of two kilometers near the town of Jamaldini. This mound is also destroyed by the people. Just like the mound of the Badal Karaz, pieces of potteries also found on the surface of the mound of Jamaldini. The hight of the mound is not that much high from ground but it’s covered area is huge as compare to other mounds. It is also a very important site.

3. SIA DAMB Dak is a huge and very famous area of Nushki, which is situated in the west and North West of the District and connected with the desert of southern Afghanistan. Actually this is the part of great desert of Lut which covered the eastern and northern Iran and southern and western Afghanistan. In the south of Afghanistan it touched the desert area of Nushki, and on the other side the Iranian sandy border is connected with Balochistan. The Dak of Nushki is dividing among three major tribes of the area, i.e. , Jamaldini and Badini. The major parts of this area are mostly dry plains and deserts and its mainly cultivation depends on the rain. This kind of cultivated land is called Khushkaba in local language. Actually this desert is an ancient and shortcut way from Balochistan to Afghanistan. This desert has also many pre-historic sites. There are several ancient mounds situated in this sandy area. These mounds belong to the Neolithic times. In these mounds one of the famous mound is called Siah Damb or Black Mound. This is a big mound situated in a plain of Dak desert. It’s called Black Mound because of its black mud and surface. The height of this mound is more then thirty feet. The mounds and other kind archaeological sites have been badly destroyed and exhume every where by antique mafia. The surface of the mound is full of the pieces of different kind potteries which are same like the potteries of other mounds of the area. The construction work also seemed in this mound and in some places the internal side constructions and rooms are easily observed. It is a rich site and can provide lot of information about the past history of the area. The dead bodies which are found on the top of grave can be very helpful for researchers to analyze the past era. This newly discovered mound is waiting for researchers, experts and writers for further work.

4. SOHR DAMB The mound of Sohr Damb is also situated in the area of Dak and is the continuous part of other mounds. Its surface is also full of same kind potteries. It’s called Sohr or Red mound because of its reddish surface and mud. It’s also covered a big area but it is not higher than the Sia Damb, But it can be provide a lot of information about the pre-historic time of the area.

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5. DAAR DUMB OR WOOD MOUND This is another mound of the area of Dak, called Daar or Wood Mound. It is the continuous part of other mounds too. Its surface is also full of same kind potteries. It is higher then Sohr Damb, and rich in all aspects as compare to Sohr Damb. It’s a great mound but badly excavated by the antique mafia. But a huge area of this mound is still present in a better condition. This mound can be laboratory for archaeologists. This mound is still hidden and did not describe by historians or archaeologists. The Roba Mound is also situated in the area of Dak.

6. SEWAHI KALAT This is another rich and pre-historic place of the Dak area and consists on a fort, as shown by its name. The condition of this mound is same like other mounds. It is also destroying by the hands of antique mafia. They came here for searching treasure. They excavated it roughly and damaged the important parts of the mound. The burned mud of these all mounds shows that they were burned roughly by invaders. These kind of burned mounds can easily found in the different archaeological sites of Balochistan.

7. ANCIENT FORT OF NUSHKI This fort is situated in the middle of the city of Nushki. Currently the Deputy Commissioner Office and residence is here. This mound was a castle or a fort which mentioned by Dr. Stein, Inspector General of Education and Surveyor of Archaeology. He paid a visit to Nushki in April 1905 has written the following interesting description of some of the ancient remains to be seen in the District: “The visit which I paid to Nushki, enabled me not only to form some idea of the character of the desert which hence stretches towards Siestan and the comparison of which with the deserts of Turkistan offered for me special points of interest, but to trace remains of unmistakable antiquity at the newly developed emporium of Nushki itself. On riding up the hillock on which the Political Agent’s Bungalow stands, I noticed old pottery debris and by subsequent examination found evidence of this prominent position having been occupied probably at an early period. This hillock is composed mainly of alluvial deposit, and rises about 70 feet above the bed of the Khaisar stream which washes its southern foot. Its top after having been artificially leveled some eight years ago, now measures about 140 yards from north to south with an average width of about 100 yards. Owing to its commanding height and isolated position, the hillock must have always attracted notice as a place suited for defense, and accordingly I was not surprised to find

- 66 - remains of old walls at several places on the south face which falls off precipitously towards the stream.” (Government Record: 1997) The above discussed mound is still use officially and in present time the Office of the Deputy Commissioner is situated there, and still the walls of the fort can be seen from different sides. No doubt, this was the historical fort of Nushki which came in history with the name of Qila Khaisar or Khaisar Fort, (Al-Hiravi: 2009), and locally called Sangi Kalat or Rocky Fort. This fort has long historical backgrounds which are available in several books of history. (Minhaj-us-Siraj: 2004) According to historical sources that the different kind of potteries found out from this fort during construction work of Bungalow in Britsh period. “When the top of the hillock was being leveled for the present Bungalow, a number of round jars of a make and size no loner known had been brought to light not very deep beneath the surface. One of these jars proved to have been preserved in the fort containing the Tehsil and to be a relic of distinct interest. It measures 2 feet 5 inches in height with a diameter of 2 feet 6 inches, where widest and is made of hard red clay about half an inch thick. From its mouth which is about 1 foot wide, down to the line of greatest perimeter, the jar is decorated with a succession of bands painted in black color and fairly well preserved. The band nearest to the mouth shows a plain pattern of diagonal lines between two horizontal ones, next follows one with a bold spiral scroll ornament, while below this is a band showing fishes in double row. Below these bands each of which is about 5 inches high, follows a succession of plain black stripes down to the line of greatest perimeter. It is very desirable that this interesting piece of ancient pottery be properly taken care of and I have recommended its removal to the Quetta Museum now in course of construction. A second vase of similar material, but perfectly plain and was the only other object from that find I could trace at Nushki. My enquiry after old coins in the Bazaar and among village headmen, were unsuccessful; none appear ever to have been found in this neighborhood. As Nushki, owing to its water supply, can never in historical times have been a locality entirely uninhabited, I can recognize in this dearth of old coins of any description only evidence of the very primitive cultural conditions which have prevailed in great portions of Balochistan down to our own time. As to the age of the pottery above described I cannot safely express an opinion.” (Government Record: 1997)

8. HOTANI REG OR HOTANI BHUTT This huge dump of sand is situated near the Town of Jamaldini in the beginning of great Dak desert. It is famous by the name of Hot---ani---Reg. the Jamaldini tribe claims for its legacy. But, in written shape it is not proved.

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Some verbal sources connect it with the famous Baloch tribe, “Hot”. This word is still vague and needs more research. But, the amazing report is this that a big fort or city has been obscured in this huge deposit of sand. A wall of mud can be seen on the top of sand deposit, which proves that there is some thing under this deposit. It is a mystery which needs a solution. May be it’s belong to ancient Baloch tribe Hot, which ruled over Mekran during the Arab invasion. This is an amazing site and need more research and excavation. Hope, that this place will give interesting results and raise new archaeological question to be solved.

9. RUINS OF NOKJO Nokjo is a nearly village of Nushki. It is situated on Quetta-Taftan road. Basically it is an agriculture area, and Mandahi Baloch tribe’s lives here. Mandahi tribe claims that they are the first and original natives of the area of Nushki. The other all tribes accept their claim and the Balochistan District Gazetteer also gives such kind of statement. Mandahi is a big tribe and not only lives in Nushki but, they also live in the several parts of Balochistan. The agriculture of this area is developing day by day so; the dry lands are converting into green zones. Nokjo is a basically ancient town and the new population builds up their houses over the ancient ruins. The extension in agriculture sector is also destroying the ancient places, like mounds and graveyards. The ruins of Nokjo seem that, this place was the early settlement of Nushki. During the making of a small Dam in this area, the ancient time graves opened in the Dam. After some times, another ancient graveyard discovered here too near the village of Nokjo. The natives of the area do not know about these graves. According to a local authority that during plowing many times he saw the terracotta and browns objects, potteries, bricks and other kind of ancient antiques. Nokjo is a very unique place for archaeological purposes but these ruins are destroying fastly. If the higher authorities did not take any attention these very important archaeological remains will be finish soon. It will be a big subtraction for the heritage of Balochistan. The remains of Nokjo are consists on mounds, bricks and potteries plant (industrial units), graveyards and a fort. The ruins of the fort are called Mandahi Kalat. This fort has been completly destroyed; only a single wall is remaining. This fort is not older than two centuries, and belongs to the Mandahi tribe. But, no doubt, that it is a national heritage and its protection and preservation is necessary. Nokjo is a very ancient place and its archaeological sites are destroying poorly, so, it’s the time that the authorities must take immediate action for their preservation.

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Ancient brick factory, Nokjo

10. ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS OF BHATTO Bhatto is another nearly place of Nushki from the distance of 16 kilometers in the west of Nushki, and situated on Quetta-Taftan road. The word Bhatto has come out from the word Bhatti, which mean an Industrial Plant. The meaning of Bhatto in local language is, “a small plant”. The place of Bhatto is a totally an archaeological zone, in which the archaeological remains seem every where on the ground. There are different archeological sites like, Mounds, Gabrband or fire worshippers Dams, Graveyards, Industrial Plants, Forts and Gumbud etc. some of these ruins have been destroyed by the terrible weather, heavy rains and illegal excavations but, mostly sites are secure and in good condition. These remains have big deposits of archaeological objects, which can help the archaeologists and historian to draw a real and true picture of the area of Nushki and as well as the Balochistan. Has mentioned earlier that the history of the area has been started from the time of Mongols by the historians but, now after these discoveries the history of the area needs modification, because, these remains belong to pre-historic times. A big mound, a Gabrbast, two graveyards, more than one Bhatoos or small plants and some other kind sites are safe and perfect for further excavation. The remains of Bhatto are mostly in safe hands and invite the experts for researching the pre-historic time.

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Remanings of another ancient traditional brick factory. Bhatto

11. MAH GUL-E-GUMBUZ OR MAH GUL NA GUMBUD According to Balochistan District Gazetteer that, “At Nushki I had touched the line of route followed by pottinger in 1810 on his celebrated journey through Balochistan into Persia. As, on reading its account long ago I had been struck by the description given in it of some very curious ancient structures, which Pottinger had seen at some distance south of Nushki, and which he believed to be of Zorostrian origin, I was anxious to visit them. Locally nothing was known of such ruins, but a search for them seemed all the more justified since I succeeded in finding in the immediate vicinity of Nushki, and exactly in the position indicated by the Pottinger, the remains of a Gumbuz which Pottinger mentions in connections with the tradition of an ancient town, and which was equally unknown to the local authorities. This ruin, called Magul by the Saiad (Syed) guide who took me to it, proved to be situated at a distance of about 3 miles to the south-west of the modern fort of Nushki, and to consist of a narrow vaulted passage about 12 yards long, half buried under the drift sand of the surrounding desert. It is built of sun dried bricks and surmounted by a shapeless mass of decayed masonry of the same kind. The vault being constructed on the principle of a true arch indicated the Mohammadan origin of the structure, and the remains of some old tombs to the south of it fully confirmed this conclusion. Old pottery debris strews a patch of eroded clayey ground near by.” (Government Record: 1997) The Gazetteer also mentions a stone near this Gumbuz which was called “Naqsh Pa Rustam” or footprint of Rustam. (Ibid: 1997) In present time this Gumbuz or Tomb can not see any where but the local natives know about the place of it.

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12. NEEL, AN AMAZING ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOMB Neel is an amazing archaeological thing which is only present in the different parts of Nushki District. It is like a tomb without any exit or entrance. According to local authorities that there were many Neel (Tombs) in the area of Nushki but, now only three of them are remaining and the others were finished. Three Neel were situated in the area of Mall, sixty kilometers in the west of Nushki, one is present at Ahmedwal and almost two are present at Eesachah. Nowadays the tombs of Mall has been finished but, the Neel of Ahmedwal and Eesachah are remained in good condition. According to a local person of Khalq e Mengal (Mengal Village) that, there was another Neel in the above mentioned Village but, but it is not present now. These tombs are consists on at least 6x6 room and vertically its maximum 10 feet high. On the top it has at least 2 feet circlet. The purposes of these Neel (Tombs) are unambiguous. The many myths are concerned with them. A huge number of residents of the area belives that these were used for punishment in the past cultures and many others compare them with the towers of guidance in the past. This kind of objects only can be seen in the area of Nushki. These Neels look like very ancient and very parallel to Hindu religious places. As the historians say that, the history of the area of Nushki started from Zoroastrian period but, these Neel are different than Persian culture objects and constructions. But, the mounds and old potteries are consequent the most ancient period than Persian. These amazing sites need immediately protection and research.

Neel near Ahmed wal

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13. GRAVEYARD AND TUNNEL OF REKO Reko is a beautiful area of Nushki, situated on the Nushki- Kharan road. It is a beautiful and cold valley. This valley has many kind of archaeological sites in which an old graveyard is also included. It is situated in the west of the village on the top of a mountainous rock. It is a big graveyard and has more than hundred graves. The local inhabitants have no information about it. Some verbal statements dedicated it to the Arab period. Many of these graves have inscriptions with different kind of writings and designs. A grave had an inscription with the drawing of a man hand and some graves have designed inscriptions. Some have writings with different languages. This is a very old graveyard which belongs to the first Muslim era and needed immediately protection and further research work. There is another historical place at Reko valley which called in local language “Khazanagi Bhutt” which means the mound of treasure. Basically this is a huge piece of a sandy rock. Many stories are famous about it in the area of Reko. The natives of the area believed that there is a big treasure in this rock. Some groups of antique mafia had illegally excavated it in many places and found some ancient potteries. The pieces of potteries can be seen on the surface of it. In the west of this rock a steam flow which called Hazhdah Khol means Eighteen Holes. In the bottom of this rock from stream side two tunnels found in the result of illegal excavation. One is like a small room but, the second one is a long tunnel. It is not more then 3x3 feet but its longitude is unknown. It has a curve too, which turned on right side. What is the reality of this tunnel, so, this is a question which should be researched.

Ancient Graveyard in Reko

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Tunnel in Khazanagi Bhutt near Reko

14. THE GREAT MOUND OF MALL Mall is another beautiful town of the Nushki District situated in the west of Nushki on the distance of 60 kilometers on Nushki-Taftan road. A big mound is standing in a plain in the north of the RCD road. This huge mound is called Meeri Bhutt and dedicated to Sanjrani rulers of the area. This mound has covered more than 300x300 feet with the height of at least 20 feet from the ground. Some old constructions are still remaining but these are not that much old. The surface of the mound is full of different kind potteries which are similar with the other ancient potteries of the area. This mound is still saved by the hands of the illegal excavation and still is in a very good condition. It is like a big laboratory for the experts of Archaeology, Anthropology and History. It’s needed immediate security and excavation. If the higher authorities did not take any attention about this rich heritage than it will finish very soon because, this area is a good for agriculture and the surrounding area of this mound has been covered with orchards. Maybe, they will finish this mound for their agriculture purpose.

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Mound of Mall

15. OLD GRAVEYARDS AND KAREZES In Balochistan there are two kinds of common archaeological sites, ancient graveyards and the ancient time karezes. The graves and graveyards belongs to the different eras and cultures e.g Hindu religions or Idol worshipper, Zoroastrians and early Islamic period. In the subject of Archaeology the graves and graveyards have major importance. These can help to understand the period, culture, social system, religious thoughts and the mankind ethnic groups of the past. As like the other parts of Balochistan, the Nushki has also different ancient graves and graveyards. These are located in the different parts of the district. The graveyards of Bhatto, Nokjo, Reko, Faqeer Jumaa, Shahmardan and many others are included in the very famous ancient graveyards. Most of these graveyards are in good condition but some of them are slowly and steadly effecting by the bad weather and antique mafia. The second one is Karez (underground water channel) which is very common in those areas of Balochistan which have no regular source of water. The Karez is the ancient time technique for irrigation system. It consists on several wells which are connected to each other in the bottom like a pipe. Mostly, Karez starts near a mountain and moves towards the cultivation areas. The technique of Karez was the old source of irrigation which was very useful in scanty water areas like Balochistan. The Karez system of Balochistan has a long historical background. According to Maulana Noor Ahmed Fareedi these had been made by the Humeries of Yemen. (Baloch.Balochistan kay Tehzeebi Naqoosh: 2012) Some sources linked them with the ancient Iranians. (Ibid: 2012)

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But, according to Gazetteer of Chagai the Karez system of Nushki was developed during Arab era. (Government Record: 1997) these Karez system is an effective source of understanding the ancient time. Many Karez have been destroyed by the bad weather.

Ancient graveyard in Bhatto

CONCLUSION

The area of Nushki has a significant historical background, but it is very sorrowful that the historians badly ignored its history. Mostly sources started its history from the time of Mongols. It is very difficult to modify the history of ancient civilization of this area because of unavailability of written material. In the historical books the ancient places of Nushki have not been discussed, even the Government District Gazetteer which compiled during British era, also ignored such kind of historic and pre-historic sites. The Gazetteer only mentioned two or three places which were situated near or inside the main city of Nushki, like, Main Fort, Gumbaz Mah Gul etc. The other sites which highlighted in the above pages did not describe by any author. These are completely new discoveries by the team of Balochistan Study centre with the collaboration of Raskoh Adabi Deewan and a local T.V. Channel Nushki Time. In the search of the area above mentioned teams discovered many ancient and archaeological sites. Most of these new sites are very ancient and belongs to pre-historic era. Some of these sites seem like Zoroastrians time, but we can not describe these sites without excavation and further research. These sites are mostly in good condition and can provide immense information to the archaeologists and historians, because, these are consists on different kind of archaeological sites which can define the pre- historic times. The team of Balochistan Study Centre have badly struggled to discover the archaeological sites of Nushki with cooperation of local

- 75 - inhabitants and members of Rasco Adbi Deewan. Some of these sites are very strange and not accessible in the other parts of Balochistan. After the field work these teams arranged a National Seminar in the District Government Hall of Nushki. Many nominal scholars explored their papers, and the large number of people participated in this Seminar. The inhabitants have taken keen interest in all these activities and demanded for a Regional Museum, further research and protection of the sites. The Balochistan Study Centre, Raskoh Adbi Deewan and Nushki Time did successfully their responsibilities and duties. Now it is the responsibility of Culture Department, Government of Balochistan to preserve, protect, excavate this heritage and provide further research on these very important pre-historic sites and to explore the real and true history of the area.

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